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Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 people on suspected charges of manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amidst growing public outcry over the arrests of civilians demanding accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll reached 151 and is expected to rise further as the operation continues. About 40 people are still missing.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, substandard netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the expense of human lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several apparently ignored cautions, the public have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, named as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

Local media said the individual was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the legal framework”.

News outlets also reported the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “State security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “There, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the individual who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions followed warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to incite “anti-China” feelings.

Before the detentions, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals employing vehicles and transit to deliver large quantities of clothes, food and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were patrolling the vicinity, and government officials soon took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was allegedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the terminology of past campaigns but did not call for political change.

The individual informed reporters that he was only “proposing very basic demands”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he said.